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Asbestos compensation after death

You may be eligible to make an asbestos claim after death and secure compensation if a loved one of yours has passed away due to asbestos related disease.

The death of a loved one due to an asbestos related disease is devastating for any family, not just because of the obvious emotional distress involved, but also due to the practical and financial issues this can cause.

If you have lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening or any other disease caused by exposure to asbestos, claiming for asbestos death compensation can never truly make up for that loss, but it can make life much easier for you and your family during this difficult time.

Get in touch with our asbestos disease solicitors for a free initial consultation.

Starting an asbestos after death claim

When someone is diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, legal advice should be sought to consider if a claim for compensation can be made. If your loved one that suffers from an asbestos related disease passes away, or it is discovered after that their cause of death is from an asbestos related disease, then you may be eligible for compensation.

Asbestos related disease claims are one of the more complex and challenging areas of personal injury law. We have helped recover £82 million in compensation since 2005 in asbestos related disease claims. The team has long-standing relationships with many agencies and charities that help people with asbestos related diseases, and their families receive as much assistance and support as possible during a very difficult time.

We offer the clear, empathetic advice and specialist legal expertise and representation you need to secure a fair settlement to help deal with the financial and practical consequences of your loss. To arrange a free initial conversation with our friendly, expert fatal mesothelioma and asbestos disease claims solicitors, please get in touch.

Mr Burgis’ asbestos exposure
Our experts settled a fatal mesothelioma claim for a £1.1million settlement
Read the story

Mr Burgis’ exposure to asbestos during his working life was relatively straightforward. Mr Burgis was exposed to asbestos by two employers. The first, and main employer, was no longer trading and had been dissolved as a legal entity. The second, challenging issues relating to the amounts of exposure to asbestos. Boyes Turner continued to fight for justice on Mr Burgis’ behalf and settled for a total of £1.1 million.

"We pride ourselves on being able to take on the cases that other lawyers deem to have a lack of prospects, and in being able to succeed where others have failed. The success in cases like Mr Burgis’ confirms Boyes Turners ethos of obtaining justice for mesothelioma victims and ensuring asbestos victims and their families are properly compensated."

Our previous asbestos cases

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What our clients say

"Sympathetic and considerate listener "

Laura dealt with our case effectively and rapidly as the situation required.  She was always a sympathetic and considerate listener and dealt with any questions clearly and promptly. We are grateful for her assistance in pursuing this case and would not hesitate to recommend Laura and her law company to anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances.  Thank you.
 

Boyes Turner Client

"Asbestos exposure compensation claim"

I would whole heartedly recommend Laura to anyone who needs legal representation following a mesothelioma diagnosis. Very sadly my partner died just 8 months after his diagnosis, and before the claim was settled. With Laura’s advice and expertise I was able to continue with the compensation claim which was eventually settled through negotiation and without the need to go to court. I am very grateful to Laura not only for her legal proficiency, but also for the manner in which she managed the case. She was quick to respond to communications, and has been understanding, compassionate and supportive throughout.

Boyes Turner Client

"Industrial Diseases Team Boyes Turner LLP"

I am writing this review on behalf of my husband Colin Wyeth and myself. We were advised by Colin’s Consultant to get a solicitor for Industrial Injuries as he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, however, this was a rare presentation of mesothelioma and so underwent two big operations at Guys Hospital in London.
The first operation was October 2019 after which he made a good recovery and was monitored with 6 monthly CT scans, unfortunately the scan showed a reappearance of the mesothelioma (in the lining of the lung) in 2021 and was admitted to Guys Hospital again in May 2021. He is now being called for scans every 2 months.

We contacted Laura Magson and her team at Boyes Turner LLP in 2019 right at the beginning of this awful diagnosis and I have to say we could not have chosen a better team, they have been absolutely brilliant from start to finish of our case delivering an outstanding result and award. Throughout this case they have been kind, patient and considerate whilst gathering all the information needed to present Colin’s case at court which was a mammoth task going back 50 odd years. Laura, I have to say has gone above and beyond, so thorough and professional whilst being so kind and patient during this unusual case.

Boyes Turner Client

"Their knowledge and advice was amazing"

Am so grateful to have had the backing and help from the team at Boyes Turner for my claim. Their knowledge and advice was amazing and felt really confident in the claim and the outcome. A very difficult time made easier.

Terry Oxenbury

"Outstanding representation for Mesothelioma claim"

At the start of our journey to say we were apprehensive and nervous would be a huge understatement. Laura Magson on our first meeting, completely reassured us with her professional yet personable and friendly manner. She guided us through each step of the process ensuring we were completely at ease and fully understood every step. Laura and her team at Boyes Turner were always 100% responsive and at no point were we ever made to feel like we were wasting her time with our endless questions! Laura successfully settled our claim with an outstanding result which enables us to move forward on this journey knowing we have financial security. For anyone needing legal representation in this field we would without hesitation recommend Laura Magson and her team.

Mr & Mrs Northcott

Asbestos compensation after death FAQs

What is an asbestos claim after death?

An asbestos claim after death is a claim for financial compensation for families who have lost loved ones to an asbestos related disease. Asbestos related diseases can cause a great deal of suffering to those involved. Unfortunately, many of these diseases are preventable and are often down to poor conduct of former employers.

The financial impact of losing a family member to an asbestos related disease can be very difficult for some families. The process of claiming compensation starts with an asbestos claim after death. These claims are made against the parties responsible for the exposure to asbestos, which in most cases is a previous employer.

How can I fund a fatal asbestos claim?

The majority of claims we handle for asbestos compensation after death are funded on the basis of a Conditional Fee Agreement (“no win, no fee”).

We will also provide an initial meeting free of charge, without any obligation to take matters further. At that meeting, we will discuss how to fund your claim and assess prospects of success if sufficient information is available at that stage.

Find out more about funding your claim.

Is there any upfront cost for starting a fatal asbestos claim?

While a Conditional Fee Agreement means you do not need to pay anything towards our legal fees at the start of your claim, we do recommend taking out After the Event (ATE) insurance. ATE insurance is intended to cover the cost of the defendant’s legal fees in the unlikely event that you were to become liable for their costs.

If your loved one passed away due to mesothelioma, then the defendants will almost always pay the insurance premium. There are no upfront fees in any case, as the premiums are deferred until the conclusion of your case.

Who can make a claim for asbestos compensation after death?

To be able to claim compensation for the asbestos related death of a loved one, you will need to be their surviving spouse, civil partner, child, or the executor of their estate. If you are unsure whether you may be able to make a claim for asbestos compensation after death, please get in touch, and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Am I entitled to compensation for an asbestos related death in the family?

To be eligible for compensation for an asbestos related death, a number of key factors must apply:

  1. An asbestos related disease must have caused or contributed to your loved one’s death.
  2. Their disease must have been caused by asbestos exposure either whilst at work, in the environment where they lived or whilst at school or from secondary exposure.
  3. The employer must have known about the risk of asbestos exposure and failed to take appropriate precautions to protect their employees, such as carrying out a proper assessment to establish whether asbestos was present and/or failing to provide suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Can I continue an asbestos claim started by someone who has since died?

Sadly, it is very common for someone with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos related disease who starts a compensation claim to pass away before the claim is resolved. Where this occurs, it may be possible for their family to continue the claim, or it may be appropriate to start a separate claim, depending on the circumstances.

Our asbestos claims solicitors can advise you on the best option for you and guide you through the process, taking over an asbestos claim or starting a new claim.

Can I claim for asbestos death compensation where an asbestos related disease was not the sole cause of death?

When someone sadly passes away, and they were suffering from an asbestos related disease, the death is often referred to the coroner. The death may be considered in more detail by the coroner, and it may be that the death was wholly or partially caused by previous asbestos exposure. Alternatively, it may be that your loved one was suffering from an asbestos related disease but that the cause of death was unrelated to asbestos.

For example, if someone who dies due to respiratory failure was suffering from an asbestos related pleural effusion or pleural thickening, those asbestos related issues may be considered a contributing factor to the respiratory failure, but not the sole cause.

On the other hand, someone may be suffering with asbestosis (or another condition) during their life, but can also have other problems such as a heart condition which might be their actual cause of death. In situations where your loved one's death was partially caused, or contributed to, by asbestos disease or where they were suffering from an asbestos related disease during their lifetime, but another unrelated condition caused their death, the family can often continue with a pre-existing claim.

How much compensation can you claim for an asbestos related death?

Exactly what you can claim for an asbestos related death will depend on the circumstances, but key types of compensation you may be able to claim include:

  • Loss of the deceased’s income (including their pension income)
  • Loss of any services the deceased provided
  • Others costs you have incurred as a result of the death
  • Funeral expenses
  • A bereavement award (currently set at £15,120 as of May 1st 2020)

We will aim to provide a clear estimate of your claim’s likely value at the earliest opportunity, so please get in touch to find out more.

Is there a time limit to claim compensation for a death due to asbestos?

You will generally have three years from the date of death to make a claim for asbestos compensation after death.

In exceptional circumstances, a court may grant permission to bring a claim outside of this three-year time limit, however, this is rare, so should not be relied on. We therefore recommend you contact our asbestos solicitors as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss out on the chance to make a claim.

Can I claim compensation for an asbestos related death if the deceased already received compensation?

Even if the deceased already claimed compensation for their disease before their death, you may still be able to make a separate claim depending on the circumstances.

Whether you are eligible to make a separate claim will depend on the details of the previous claim, so this is something we would need to review with you during your free initial consultation.

Do I need to go to court to claim asbestos death compensation?

The overwhelming majority of claims for asbestos compensation after death can be resolved with an out-of-court settlement. This allows you to get a fair settlement for your claim without the stress and uncertainty of court proceedings. It also normally makes the claims process much faster and less costly.

However, in some cases court proceedings may be required to ensure you are able to get the compensation you are entitled to. In such cases, we can offer the experienced, expert representation and emotional support you need to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, while ensuring your case is presented in the most effective way.

 

What is an asbestos claim after death?

An asbestos claim after death is a claim for financial compensation for families who have lost loved ones to an asbestos related disease. Asbestos related diseases can cause a great deal of suffering to those involved. Unfortunately, many of these diseases are preventable and are often down to poor conduct of former employers.

The financial impact of losing a family member to an asbestos related disease can be very difficult for some families. The process of claiming compensation starts with an asbestos claim after death. These claims are made against the parties responsible for the exposure to asbestos, which in most cases is a previous employer.

How can I fund a fatal asbestos claim?

The majority of claims we handle for asbestos compensation after death are funded on the basis of a Conditional Fee Agreement (“no win, no fee”).

We will also provide an initial meeting free of charge, without any obligation to take matters further. At that meeting, we will discuss how to fund your claim and assess prospects of success if sufficient information is available at that stage.

Find out more about funding your claim.

Is there any upfront cost for starting a fatal asbestos claim?

While a Conditional Fee Agreement means you do not need to pay anything towards our legal fees at the start of your claim, we do recommend taking out After the Event (ATE) insurance. ATE insurance is intended to cover the cost of the defendant’s legal fees in the unlikely event that you were to become liable for their costs.

If your loved one passed away due to mesothelioma, then the defendants will almost always pay the insurance premium. There are no upfront fees in any case, as the premiums are deferred until the conclusion of your case.

Who can make a claim for asbestos compensation after death?

To be able to claim compensation for the asbestos related death of a loved one, you will need to be their surviving spouse, civil partner, child, or the executor of their estate. If you are unsure whether you may be able to make a claim for asbestos compensation after death, please get in touch, and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Am I entitled to compensation for an asbestos related death in the family?

To be eligible for compensation for an asbestos related death, a number of key factors must apply:

  1. An asbestos related disease must have caused or contributed to your loved one’s death.
  2. Their disease must have been caused by asbestos exposure either whilst at work, in the environment where they lived or whilst at school or from secondary exposure.
  3. The employer must have known about the risk of asbestos exposure and failed to take appropriate precautions to protect their employees, such as carrying out a proper assessment to establish whether asbestos was present and/or failing to provide suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Can I continue an asbestos claim started by someone who has since died?

Sadly, it is very common for someone with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos related disease who starts a compensation claim to pass away before the claim is resolved. Where this occurs, it may be possible for their family to continue the claim, or it may be appropriate to start a separate claim, depending on the circumstances.

Our asbestos claims solicitors can advise you on the best option for you and guide you through the process, taking over an asbestos claim or starting a new claim.

Can I claim for asbestos death compensation where an asbestos related disease was not the sole cause of death?

When someone sadly passes away, and they were suffering from an asbestos related disease, the death is often referred to the coroner. The death may be considered in more detail by the coroner, and it may be that the death was wholly or partially caused by previous asbestos exposure. Alternatively, it may be that your loved one was suffering from an asbestos related disease but that the cause of death was unrelated to asbestos.

For example, if someone who dies due to respiratory failure was suffering from an asbestos related pleural effusion or pleural thickening, those asbestos related issues may be considered a contributing factor to the respiratory failure, but not the sole cause.

On the other hand, someone may be suffering with asbestosis (or another condition) during their life, but can also have other problems such as a heart condition which might be their actual cause of death. In situations where your loved one's death was partially caused, or contributed to, by asbestos disease or where they were suffering from an asbestos related disease during their lifetime, but another unrelated condition caused their death, the family can often continue with a pre-existing claim.

How much compensation can you claim for an asbestos related death?

Exactly what you can claim for an asbestos related death will depend on the circumstances, but key types of compensation you may be able to claim include:

  • Loss of the deceased’s income (including their pension income)
  • Loss of any services the deceased provided
  • Others costs you have incurred as a result of the death
  • Funeral expenses
  • A bereavement award (currently set at £15,120 as of May 1st 2020)

We will aim to provide a clear estimate of your claim’s likely value at the earliest opportunity, so please get in touch to find out more.

Is there a time limit to claim compensation for a death due to asbestos?

You will generally have three years from the date of death to make a claim for asbestos compensation after death.

In exceptional circumstances, a court may grant permission to bring a claim outside of this three-year time limit, however, this is rare, so should not be relied on. We therefore recommend you contact our asbestos solicitors as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss out on the chance to make a claim.

Can I claim compensation for an asbestos related death if the deceased already received compensation?

Even if the deceased already claimed compensation for their disease before their death, you may still be able to make a separate claim depending on the circumstances.

Whether you are eligible to make a separate claim will depend on the details of the previous claim, so this is something we would need to review with you during your free initial consultation.

Do I need to go to court to claim asbestos death compensation?

The overwhelming majority of claims for asbestos compensation after death can be resolved with an out-of-court settlement. This allows you to get a fair settlement for your claim without the stress and uncertainty of court proceedings. It also normally makes the claims process much faster and less costly.

However, in some cases court proceedings may be required to ensure you are able to get the compensation you are entitled to. In such cases, we can offer the experienced, expert representation and emotional support you need to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, while ensuring your case is presented in the most effective way.

Why choose Boyes Turner?

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Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.

We are nationally acclaimed industrial disease lawyers. We are recognised as leading experts by legal ranking directories Chambers Directory and Legal 500.
Our award-winning solicitors are accredited for their expertise and secure maximum compensation settlements for our clients which make the best provision for their current and future needs.
We have an extensive and highly experienced asbestos disease team with proven skills to succeed in high value, complex and substantial cases.
We have long standing relationships with many agencies and charities that help people with asbestos related diseases, and their families, receive assistance and support.

Our people

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Laura Magson

Laura Magson

Partner

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Melloney Harbutt

Legal Director

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Martin Anderson

Martin Anderson

Associate Solicitor

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Amy lundie

Amy Lundie

Solicitor

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Leading asbestos disease solicitors for over 30 years

Our solicitors’ expertise in asbestos related disease claims and their dedication to improving the lives of their injured clients has been recognised by the legal profession and disability charities for over 30 years.